Where to travel in September.

September is the second secret month: SE Asia rains tail off, Europe shoulder, North Indian travelers escape pre-Diwali. Bengaluru-Bangkok back to INR 18,000.

Top picks for September

1. 1Vietnam

   Best month — rains ending, cool down starting. Hoi An lantern season prep.

2. 2Japan

   Late summer, fewer crowds, koyo (autumn leaves) prep.

3. 3Georgia

   Last warm month. Wine harvest peak — Rtveli festival.

4. 4Indonesia

   Still peak dry — Bali, Komodo great.

5. 5Egypt

   Temperatures dropping below 35°C — Luxor becomes tolerable.

Avoid in September

• Caribbean / Maldives: Hurricane / heaviest rain season — book Nov instead.
• North Korea border / DMZ Korea: Late typhoon season Korea.

Festivals & events

• Onam (Sept) — Kerala tourism domestic spike